Jellyfish21

To set the record straight, CCL has some industry firsts:

Camp carnival- first kids program

The elation was first ship with 24 hour pizza, azipod propulsion and water slide

CCL does have the worst lines of any cruiseline

Opening day is pretty bad. To minimize it, get on board ASAP and get your lunch ( we are platinum;)).

Then go into your carryon that you brought , put on swim suit and enjoy the empty swimming pool.

Problem solved!

When we were on the Allure four years ago, I went up to the buffet at dinner to just see what they had and they had...t bone steaks!

Never saw that on CCL!

I was able to have grilled mushroooms, properly cooked turkey bacon on rcl. I liked the vita water that’s free, the roast beef sandwiches, Starbucks , and better mdr food.

Two years ago, they had salad with king crab legs; our waiter fetched us extra legs.

CCL has better seafood? Really? Never seen a crab leg in the mdr.

Only thing better on CCL was the steak house.

Entertainment was incredible- don’t miss the parades, ice show, plus on pool days, you really can get a lounger next to the pool. The ship spreads everyone out so it doesn’t feel crowded.

If you have sailed RCL but not on one of their oasis type ships, then you are missing out on their best ships.

Fwiw, if he wants some quite relaxing time ( and perhaps , is a tightwad like me), there is 7/11 across from port ( I think beers at bars are $6-!).

There are benches you can sit on while drinking , I even saw a few recliners near water last Jan.

I always stop at 7/11 when returning, grab some cheap beer to drink while I stroll around

and then just sit and look at the ships.

I speak for all husbands in saying we all like cheap beer :p

Not to sound cynical, but one of the nice things about cruising is that a ship can skip a port if it gets destroyed by a hurricane or overrun by narco gangs.

No, they just get another port to go to or simply give you a day at sea with a refund of port fees which can help pay for the drinks by the pool on that sea day.

Don’t even compare the massacre in Las Vegas to the bombing of a ferry, they couldn’t be more different .

The shooter in Las Vegas was acting alone and he is now dead.

The bombing of the ferry was done by a highly organized drug cartel that is doing its best to destroy Mexico- big difference!

I have cruised 30 times since ‘89.

I remember when Cabo was really nothing, quaint place, a beach, that’s it. Now it’s huge and has the highest spike in murders.

Mazatlan used to be a fun spot, safe, now much of it should be avoided and for years, most cruise lines did just.

Acapulco used to be wonderful, was there just before cruiselines stopped going, Xtapa, Manzanillo were also nice- not anymore!

Now comes Cozumel - will it fall like the others? Hopefully not.

Before anyone puts faith in the police and military down there, that’s where the gangs get a lot of their “employees”.

I’ve been to Cozumel so many times that I can’t give an exact number. I was last there two months ago. Funny, that was first time I took the ferry to playa Carmen ( ship excursion to chintzen itsa)

The crime in HI is a fraction, a mere fraction of what it is in Mexico . So far, no politicians or journalists have been murdered, they are not kidnapping tourists and guess what? The police are actually more honest than the ones in Mexico! Oh, and the bars at the hotels aren’t dropping drugs into the drinks and raping guests.

Food poisoning?Are you serious? The water in HI is actually safe to drink and won’t make you sick. Restaraunts are subjected to tough standards, higher than most states. Who inspects the restaurants in Mexico?

I’m also not impressed with those street venders who have things like mayonnaise simmering in the sun, growing bacteria.

Is Cozumel safe? How safe you felt there ten years ago, last year, or two months ago ( when I was last there) doesn’t matter, what matters is now and the future.Who ever put that bomb on probably went to Cozumel, then came back and left it on the ferry, so there was a bomb from Cozumel . It’s also foolish to think that because Cozumel is a 20 minute ferry ride away from the mainland, the gangs won’t go there.

They will, there is money to made from protection and other rackets.

Ten years ago, the dangerous areas of Mexico were few- now they have grown to cover much of country. According to the US State Dept, some areas are as dangerous as Syria and US personal are prohibited from being there.

I’m sure you have “ friends” down there spending there time monitoring wiretaps, doing surveilance with cracker Intel that would make our FBI envious but in the end it doesn’t matter , one bomb can ruin your day .

Mexico is in a state of chaos. The homicide count says that, the assasinations, the U.S. state dept says it, all those soldiers you see every where.

Think your safe? How safe will you feel when your kidnapped and if your family doesn’t pay the ransom , they get you in a box?

I remember back when people poo poo’d the crime in Acapulco ( I was there about six months before ships stopping visiting it) and now its a battle ground . Even Cabo is on its way to become the next battle ground .

Want a safe tropical place to relax without worry of being kidnapped, blown up, food poisoning, or be drugged and raped?

Visit a place called “Hawaii”.

“As far as more bombs being found... it is hard to know what exactly is going on as the newspapers in Mexico are all just gossip rags, where reporters can say anything they want or what they are paid to say. “

That’s so wrong that is dangerous!

Reporters can’t say anything they want in Mexico! Those who do are killed, find themselves in a drum of acid . Mexico reporters have the highest murder rate in the world. Before offering a Pollyanna all is wonderful opinion, you might want to look at the facts at how any reporter in Mexico reporting on the cartels is likely to be murdered.

When platinum was the highest loyalty level, dining preference was guaranteed. When Diamond level was added, they were guaranteed, but platinum slipped to Priority. EM

This. It now means nothing and went the way with the platinum member only tour of kitchen.

I found this out the hard way when I wanted reservations in the steak house for day a few days away and was told “ we are all full”.

We have always gotten the time we want in mdr but then again , we usually book like 9 months in advance too.

I’ve been cruising CCL for 20 years, got at least 15 cruises with them alone.

I have seen a lot of scuffles on CCL over the years much more than other lines. Keep in mind that all have been late at night, when most are sleeping ( I’d escape sleeping family and venture out)

And every single one involved alcohol.

In every case, it was handled quickly and discretely .

With the legend, you had perfect storm of poorly trained security and a huge group of fighters .

I wouldn’t worry.

Repeatedly kicking a passenger who is on the ground...keeping it classy.

Things you’ll miss on the miracle :

1) people! Having the most room per passenger means you’ll see a lot less people. You might get lonely !

2) an easy walk to the steak house if you’re afraid of heights .

On the spirit class, you walk up a glass stair glass, 8 stories below your feet is the atrium. Don’t look down :p!

Does anyone know how much beer and drinks are at Maya Key?Just want to know as once you’re there, you’re sort of trapped into paying whatever they want.

Years ago, I bought a quality mask, snorkel and flipped kit for $30.

I added an inflatable vest to it .

Whenever I travel , I put this pack into my carryon

If you snorkel, highly recommend that u do the same

Fwiw, I’m a pretty good swimmer, but that vest is real nice to have if the water is choppy. Just put extra air in it and it’s amazing how well you can easily snorkel in water that has others fighting for their life !

The best Carnival ship unfortunately operates from the Pacific coast (Carnival Splendor).

 

!

My last CCL was on the splendor and I think of it as the “blunder”.

Didn’t like layout, crowds, etc. I don’t even think it’s a real CCL; it was ordered for costa then CCL got it . It’s sister ship was the one that got beached and destroyed.

The spirit class ships are the best. My cruise on the Miracle this July will be my 17th CCL Cruise , done all classes but the Vista.

Above 110k tons, I prefer Princess and RCL.

CCL likes to pack people in like sardines, four port days in a week helps make this tolerable .

Maybe they could make a new pool game called “deck chair wars”?

I remember when RCL came out with big ships , CCL people would say the ships are too big ( oh the crowds!). Yet, the big issue to watch for is crowd to size ratio

Vista has 4000 pp for 136k tons of displacement

Spirit class has 2000 pp for 89k tons

If spirit was blown up to hold 4,000 pp like vista, it’d displace 200k tons.

Pretty obvious why it would feel very crowded.

Oasis class has 5400pp for 226k tons. Has just 1400 pp than Vista but adds an extra 90k tons ( like an extra Spirit ship!)

The oasis class ships are the only ships I’ve cruises where I could always find a lounger next to to the pool on a sea day in the middle of the day.

If you don’t like crowds, cruise on the remaining spirit class ships before they send them away. The fantasy class ships were pretty good too.

RCL DOES have food on the pool deck. On the oasis class ships, there is a hotdog / burger place toward the back.

I do factor in my platinum goodies if I book a cruise. The free drink coupons and cocktail party have value.

The free laundry is a big deal for us . When we go to FL, we like to spend five days in Disney world first. We board CCL and let them do the laundry .

Looking at your signature, you have been on a variety of ships.

Miracle is doing four port stops so you only get two sea days. I doubt you’ll miss the burger place. Go for Miracle .

Funny thing ( or mean!) - my wife hates those sting rays. We always do a sting ray city excursion when in grand cayman . My older daughter always (!) would take a piece of squid and rib on her mother’s legs and back ( in the water, she never noticed). The result was she was always mobbed with sting rays!

Have fun whatever cruise!

I have yet to be on a ship with guys.

Still, hard to trade all the wonderful things about a spirit class ship for a greasy burger.

Just the lack of people is enough.

Wonderful ship design!

The spirit class ships are awesome !

Not to offend the CCL cheerleaders , but they feel classier than the typical CCL ship. My fave feature are those steps to the steak house that are ten stories above the atrium - don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights!

We did the plat kitchen tour years ago when they still offered it. We were told that this class of ship has a more efficient ( fwiw) design to get food out and is also very speedy. When the the pride replaced the elation on the west coast, it did so with slightly longer stays at each port.

If you’re a long time CCL cruiser , then you likely shed a tear each time they shipped a spirit class ship away.

These ships seemed to have been built at a time when CCL thought they might be trying to attract a more upscale market . Panamax design, made in Germany , very well decorated , very good passenger to ship size ratio .

I haven’t cruised CCL in three years, but will be on Miracle this summer. I’ve been on the Legend and Spirit, along with every class ( except vista) and spirit class still is my fave. It seems with CCL, each ship just packs them in more and more and this becomes pretty noticeable if you sail a dream or conquest class ship and then cruise a spirit ship.

Cruise it while u can!:D

Btw, I don’t see a dry dock for her anytime soon . Hopefully, it’ll have great bookings in Tampa or else they’ll send her to China or Australia. I’m pretty sure that this class ship is the largest that can sail out of Tampa, so if she is sent away, she’ll be replaced with the Paradise.

My nye cruise on the Rotterdam last month was my 30th cruise since 1989. I have been on NCL, RCL, Princess and CCL.

Despite the dry dock, the Rotterdam was the most decrepit ship, had the worst entertainment and tied one CCL Cruise taken ten years ago for worst mdr service.

If this is what the rest of HAL is like, I could see this line being absorbed into its CCL sister lines.

For those who fault people like me for being picky, you’ve really missed the point. There are other cruise lines offering a better product and in a free market, it’s the better product they survives.

Keep in mind that cabin prices are market driven. High demand means cruise line can charge more, low demand means they can charge less. The cheapest holiday cruise was...HAL!

Did a search for summer AK cruise and the cheapest AK Cruise was...HAL!

I think that speaks volumes.

You want positive? The quality of the beef was good in the mdr. The hot dogs at the dive in were good. I was hoping that the ship's lack of entertainment would be less noticeable with four port stops but it wasn't. The casino looked about twice as big as the ones we have in our supermarkets.

If HAL was so darn popular, then I would expect it to cost more to sail them than CCL and others. Yet, that is not the case. The cheapest cruises over the holidays was HAL. And do keep in mind that cabin prices are determined by the market. Right now, for the month of July, the cheapest AK cruise is HAL.

I don't know where "loyalty ratings" come from, but things like busted toilet, cold food, slow service, no entertainment have nothing to do with a "California or midwestern vibe", they are merely indicators of a poor cruise.

Maybe there are loyal HAL cruisers that enjoy cold food and no entertainment.

Did I make a poor choice? I guess I did. It was ill informed. I assumed that the ship, coming out of drydock, would be fixed up. I was wrong. By the time people noted that it was still a leaky rust bucket, I couldn't get my money back. No one informed me (or the others on this thread) that entertainment would be non existent, mdr would be slow,that I'd have plumbing problems, that my room on full max would barely be warm enough for my wife. I also was not told that if I made Grill reservations online, that they would be lost and I'd be sent back. Or that after spending $200pp on an excursion to Chintza Itsa, the only choice for our meal would be ham (I guess I'm the only one in the world that doesn't eat pork?).

I'm 53, cruise history- 18 Carnival, 9 Princess, 8 RCL, 1 NCL. This was my first HAL cruise.

MDR- Service very very slow, we always (every time!) would finish our salad, soup, etc, then have the dirty plate in front of us to stare at until something (maybe 30 min later) arrived. The food was usually cold, either from sitting or just was undercooked. Example- order the french onion soup and the cheese was still in crumble form, not melted.

Jeans in the MDR? That be me. I also didn't bring a suit coat. Unlike many cruisers, I don't live in FL so I had to fly and pack ten days of clothes into a suitcase weighing under 50lbs, sorry if i offended.

I'm a hang out at the pool kind of guy but both sea days were cold and outside of the test kitchen, NOTHING to do. The TV was worst of any cruise I've been on, horrible sub vhs quality, with some channels having lots of distortion and only three channels (news channels and one movie). Sorry, but I don't consider putting together jigsaw puzzles as quality entertainment.

Toilet didn't work when I awoke on day 2 , phone to CS to tell them this didn't work either.

Tea time? Held in the mdr, no music, not even piped in. They should send a stow a way to Princess and learn how they make their scones.

To me, this ship fits the cliche, for "Newly wed and nearly dead".

Maybe they don't want my age group (53 too young?).

While this cruise was cheap ($700 for OV pp), I have another HAL cruise booked on the Volendam this summer to AK, but for it what it costs, I can cruise Princess and they are superior in every area, from my experience. I'll cancel that one,give my $ to Princess.

I don't know what the average age is of a HAL cruiser, but years ago, GM noticed that the average age of a Cadillac buyer was going up and up and they were in danger of losing their base. They then focused on cars at a younger demographic. Perhaps HAL should do the same?

When my cabin toilet didn’t flush, I called the desk.

The mic on the phone didn’t work!

Had to visit them in person.

This was my first time on HAL.

Are other ships better?

This was my 30th cruise and this was the worst ship I’ve been on

I will say we like the headliners and American kitchen.